[Adopted 3-20-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-02]
A. 
Pursuant to Chapter 17 of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (43 P.S. § 962.1), there is hereby established a Human Relations Commission in and for the Borough of Folcroft (hereinafter referred to as the "Folcroft Human Relations Commission").
B. 
The Borough Council hereby grants to the Borough Human Relations Commission all of the powers and duties now exercised by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, 43 P.S. § 951 et seq. Specifically, without limitation, the Borough Human Relations Commission shall have the ability to receive, investigate and report to the Borough Council upon complaints.
A. 
The Borough Human Relations Commission shall consist of five members.
B. 
The initial members of the Folcroft Human Relations Commission shall have a term of one year for one member, two years for two members and three years for two members, respectively. Thereafter, the term of each of the members of the Borough Human Relations Commission shall be for three years or until a successor is appointed and qualified. Members of the Borough Human Relations Commission shall serve without salary.
C. 
A Chairperson shall be appointed by the Commission. The Chairperson will be responsible for setting Commission meetings. The Chairperson will also prepare reports on Commission activity for the Borough Council and report at regular Council meetings at the Council's request.
The following words and phrases when used in this article shall have the meanings given to them in this section:
BOROUGH
The Borough of Folcroft, County of Delaware, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
COUNCIL
The Borough Council of the Borough of Folcroft.
DISCRIMINATION
Discriminatory acts taken by any person, on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, familial status, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, use of guide or support animals and/or mechanical aids because of blindness, deafness or other disabilities, or any other bases prohibited by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 43 P.S. § 951 et seq.
A. 
Discrimination based on race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, familial status, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, use of guide or support animals and/or mechanical aids because of blindness, deafness or other disabilities is prohibited under this article.
B. 
Discriminatory acts in response to the making of a charge, testifying or assisting in any manner any investigation, proceeding or hearing under this article are prohibited.
A. 
Any individual claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice may make a complaint in writing which shall state the nature of the unlawful practice and the particulars thereof. Complaints must be filed with the Borough office. The Borough office shall convey all original complaints to the Chairperson of the Commission within 10 days.
B. 
Any complaint filed pursuant to this section must be so filed within 180 days after the alleged act of discrimination.
C. 
The party filing the complaint may withdraw any complaint at any time.
D. 
The Commission shall investigate the charges of discrimination.
E. 
If it shall be determined after the Commission's investigation that there is no basis for the allegations of the complaint, the Commission shall cease consideration of the specific complaint.
F. 
If the Commission, after investigation, determines that probable cause exists for the allegations of the complaint, the Commission shall immediately endeavor to eliminate the unlawful practice complained of by persuasion, conference and conciliation.
G. 
If the Commission believes that public consideration of the matter would enhance relations between groups within the community, it may conduct an open forum on the matter.
H. 
If, after investigation of any complaint, the Commission shall find evidence of any unlawful discriminatory practice, the Commission shall state its findings of fact and shall report it to the Borough Council along with any actions it may suggest that the Council take.